A dedication to a hero!
At Heywood’s 3rd street house, at the funeral on September 12, 1876, the Reverend Delavan Levant Leonard gave the following funeral discourse on Joseph Lee Heywood:
“In God’s good providence we are permitted to gaze upon the charming spectacle, alas, too seldom seen, and when seen, too seldom considered, of the walk and conversation of a good man. Here was one thoroughly Christian in all his instincts and ambitions and practices – one of the pure in heart, with a vision for unseen things, and who walked by faith; who lived not for himself, but for others; who knew not how to be base, or dishonorable, or mean; knew not how to slight his work, or leave it half undone, or leave it for others to do; knew not how to prove false to his truth, or to flee from his post of duty; but who did know how to be faithful and true, utterly careless of the cost.
Mr. Heywood was beyond most men modest and timid. He did not even seem to know that he was lovable and well-beloved, and was held in high esteem by all. He courted no praise, and sought no reward. Honors must come to him unsought if they were to come at all. He would be easily content to toil on, out of sight and with services unrecognized, but in every transaction must be conscientious through and through, and do each hour to the full duties of the hour.
Yes, something such a one as this walked our streets, entered our homes, worshiped in our assemblies, and bore his share of our public burdens. And so dull is human appreciation, that had he ended his days after the ordinary fashion of humanity, it is much to be feared his worth had never been widely known.
We shall reread the record he has made with sharpened vision. Besides, some of the virtues in which he excelled, such as integrity, moral courage, unflinching steadfastness in pursuing the right, in the tragic circumstances surrounding the close of his life, found not only their supreme test, but their sublime climax as well. The charm lies in the perfect harmony existing between the acts of the last hour and the conduct of all the years that went before.”
The Reverend Delavan Levant Leonard
I’ve always held extreme admiration for Heywood. He was asked just weeks before the bank was robbed if he would turn over the money if found at gunpoint. He said, “I believe I should not”. He didn’t. He protected the entire town’s savings that day. I often ponder just what the “butterfly effect” would have been on Northfield if the funding were stolen in 1876. Meaning, what would the trickle-down, real-world impacts have been on the early settlers that build this town. Would some have left? Would the colleges have survived without their savings intact?
There was significant drama in the years following the murder of Heywood about whether one should give up his life for an employer. About whether or not the widow and children of Mr. Heywood were given proper financial assistance. I believe Heywood knew the significance of what the savings of its townspeople meant to the future of the city. He didn’t have to protect that vault like he did. All other banks had given into the James-Younger pressure and shiny revolvers that were pointed at their heads. Somehow Joseph Lee Heywood did not.
Congratulation to Ed Brodie, Josh Ellingson and to Matt Littlefield. They will collect the full $1800 prize purse. These guys are very good at hunting for medallions! Ed has been down for years and years, spending a massive amount of time learning Northfield. He frequents many hunts around the state and has told me that this is one of his favorite and has learned to thoroughly love our city. I guess that’s the point of the game, to teach people about our history and to help show off many of our beautiful highlights.
Explanation of Tip/Clue #1.
In 2021, the horseshoe was hidden in Heywood park under a pine tree along the walking path on the east side of the park. All 5 line-items in today’s clue/tip refer to a sighting of Joseph Lee Heywood (JLH) in some form, featured in Northfield. The DJJD official 2021 button and flyer include Heywood’s face on the front (lines 1 and 2). You’ll also find a photo of this year’s Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Ray Ozmun, who gets referenced a few times in the clues. There are 3 locations in Northfield where memorials to Heywood are located: One in the bank museum at the Northfield Historical Society (line 3), at Severence Hall on the Carleton campus (line 4), and in a stained glass window at the United Church of Christ, the church JLH attended and was treasurer (line 5).
Explanation of Tip/Clue #2.
On day two I started a metamorphosis to Heywood’s name, slowly changing hey and wood each day. After the first line, the entire clue describes the personality traits of Mr. Heywood according to a number of books and more.
Explanation of Tip/Clue #3
The first line is today’s metamorphosis into “hey wood”. Also, Heywood was a civil war veteran.
The second line refers to Ray Ozmun, this years Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award recipient. “Glimmer” = Ray of hope.
The right street refers to Heywood Park being on yet another “Jefferson” in town. There are so many. Drive, Road, Parkway, Blvd. The 4th line refers to the location of Heywoods home, still standing, that sold this past year and mentioned Heywood in its marketing description of 517 3rd St W. There’s another memorial plaque on a stone in front of this house telling of its heroic occupant. This line also mentions “Townie” which is right in the headline of an article that came out in the last Northfield News about Ray Ozmun, our Heywood award recipient, tying in lines #5 to #4 using the old Abbot & Costello skit. If you realize who I’m talking about on 3rd, you’ll be the first person to head to the right park.
Explanation of Tip/Clue #4
Line 1. We’re getting closer to Hey-wood.
Keep the faith is “Faithful”. There’s a book “Faithful Unto Death” about the Northfield raid and its hero. “Ray” of light is drawing attention to Ray Ozmun again. “Turn” over every spot is Turnberry Lane. But stay away from the (Northfield) cemetery where Heywood is buried, this line hinting at someone buried locally.
After his death, Carleton College established a Heywood Library Fund and installed a memorial plaque on campus which reads: A man modest, true, gentle; diligent in business; conscientious in duty; a citizen benevolent and honorable; towards God reverent and loyal; who, while defending his trust as a bank officer, fearlessly met death at the hands of armed robbers, in Northfield, Sept. 7, 1876. This tablet is inscribed by his friends as a tribute to heroic fidelity. ESTO FIDELIS USQUE AD MORTEM. (Faithful unto Death.)
Explanation of Tip/Clue #5
Line 1. I am describing Heywood’s beard in this clues daily metamorphosis. Today we get to the ”Hay” of Heywood. This line points to there being a Heywood park and street next to each other and that the park is named after a hero. It is hidden on the east end of town near “Creek Lane”. They are currently booking tickets to the JLHDSA Banquet right now to honor Ray Ozmun. There was a write-up in this past week’s Northfield News on the banquet.